Summary
THE life and work of Robert Koch (1843–1910) is reviewed. In particular, his researches into tuberculosis are described — the discovery of the bacillus, the reaction around the world, the controversy regarding the human and bovine types and the Koch phenomenon. The introduction of tuberculin which proved to be ineffective as a cure but became important as a diagnostic tool is considered in detail. For his achievements in the field, Koch was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine and is rightly considered to be the father of the scientific study of tuberculosis.
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Sakula, A. Robert Koch: The story of his discoveries in tuberculosis. IJMS 154 (Suppl 1), 3–9 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02938285
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02938285